Tokyo 2020 has unveiled the completed Ariake Gymnastics Centre, with the traditional Japanese style facility, one of the latest venues delivered for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The 12,000-capacity venue is set to host artistic, rhythmic and trampoline gymnastics competitions during the Olympic Games.
Boccia will then be held at the venue during the Paralympic Games.
Tokyo 2020 organisers claim the on-time completion is evidence their preparations for the Games are on track.
The venue is located in the Tokyo Bay Zone, with the Athletes’ Village and Main Press Centre claimed to be a five minutes drive away.
The Ariake Tennis Park and the Ariake Arena, where volleyball competition will take place, after close to the completed building.
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Construction is also continuing on the nearby temporary Ariake Urban Sports Park, which will host BMX Freestyle, BMX racing and skateboarding events.
Tokyo 2020 revealed the area was previously used primarily for timber storage, which inspired the design and construction of the Ariake Gymnastics Centre.
Timber has been used for the roof frames, the main auditorium and the building’s exterior, with the design aimed at showcasing traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Organisers claim the venue features one of the largest timber roofs in the world, with the 30-metre-wide structure built from larch wood from the Nagano and Hokkaido prefectures.
Japanese cedar was used to create the exterior shape of wooden vessels, with Tokyo 2020 claiming the external concourse is similar to an engawa, a Japanese-style veranda.
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The venue has 90 metre wooden roof beams and is free of steel framework, which has allowed the creation of a large open space without pillars in the centre of the venue.
Spectators will sit on specially crafted wooden benches at the venue made of cedar from the Mie prefecture.
Ticket holders will be in their seats from July 25 next year, when the artistic gymnastics competition begins.
Medals will be won in artistic gymnastics from July 27 to 30, as well as from August 2 to 4.
Trampoline competition will be held from July 31 to August 1, while rhythmic gymnastics will be held from August 7 to 9.
